Friday, December 4, 2009

I realize that you are a new Commissioner as of this last year. I am concerned that you could make your ruling on approving these licenses surrounding Bear Butte without fully being aware of what the guidelines and basis for approval or denial even are.

Here is the info as per South Dakota Legislative Research Council’s Memo 94-32 “A SUMMARY OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSING PROVISIONS”

"depending on whether" the secretary or governing board "deems the applicant a suitable person to hold such license and whether" the secretary or governing board "considers the proposed location suitable.

35-2-1.2. Applications submitted to local governing board--Fee--Approval or disapproval. Any application for a retail license, except as set forth in § 35-2-1.1, shall be submitted to the governing board of the municipality within which the applicant intends to operate, or if outside the corporate limits of a municipality, to the board of county commissioners of the county in which the applicant seeks to operate. The application shall be accompanied by the required fee. The governing board may approve or disapprove the application depending on whether the governing board deems the applicant a suitable person to hold the license and whether the governing board considers the proposed location suitable.

So what you are stating is that MCC does NOT have a written policy on what classifies as “not a suitable location?”

Chairman Mallow very clearly stated in the hearing in June 2008 that if the location was next to a church or school, the location could potentially be denied a license.

If there is no written factors for this stipulation, then what basis has the Commissioners been using all this time in their determinations? There has to be some legal guidelines used in rulings.

Again, I am requesting the documentation on this provision.

I do not feel that I need to make an appointment to be on an agenda to discuss this issue. It should be something that the Commissioners have upon request of the voters, since they have been ruling on it for five years!

I'm sure others can correct anything incorrect in the following reply:

* Meade County has not adopted formal criteria for "suitable location" for a liquor or been license.

* Meade County has not adopted a policy that proximity to churches shall be considered in issuing such licenses.

* Meade County has not adopted a definition of "church" for alcohol licensing purposes.

It has been our practice that any Meade County resident can have a scheduled block of time on an upcoming agenda to discuss issues pertinent to county government. I cannot guarantee that our chairman would allow this topic on our agenda. Our practice has been that those desiring time on our agenda make that request to Joell Romick, and I have added her to the cc line of this message. There is no guarantee that the commission would adopt any particular policy or any policy at all, even if the matter were taken up as an agenda item. The vast majority of South Dakota counties make decisions on the suitability of the location of liquor licenses without such formal policies. If you choose to ask for agenda time, I recommend you have a written proposal for the commission to consider.

On Wednesday, December 2nd Meade County Commissioners held a hearing for the retail on-sale liquor/package liquor licenses renewals for venues surrounding Bear Butte, including Glencoe, Full Throttle, Monkey Rock, Buffalo Chip and Broken Spoke Campground. All five locations renewals were ultimately approved.

As we have clearly stated over the past four years of opposition, Bear Butte is a sacred site and we oppose any liquor licenses being approved surrounding the mountain.

During my testimony of opposition to the renewal of these licenses, I again requested further clarification in which licenses would be denied based upon “location,” in addition to defining the classification for a location being within the boundaries of a church or school.

The Meade County Commissioners distinct stipulation, “not a suitable location” is one of two stipulations that would disqualify a location or person from approval of an alcohol or liquor license in Meade County.

Instead of a response, I received blank stares and NO RESPONSE or acknowledgement from any of the five Commissioners. I repeated my request again, after a few moments Commissioner Aker stated he would respond to my request after all the testimony was completed.My request was NEVER answered by the Commissioners during the hearing.

This complete disregard, non response or acknowledgment of this question was extremely disrespectful and unacceptable. Residents and voters are entitled to a responsible response from the Commissioners, when we are questioning the clarification of your policies.

In June 2008 at the Meade County Commissioners meeting, I questioned the Commission regarding the clarification on the “location” classification, and how they determined this qualification.

Commissioner Mallow responded that if the location was near a church or school, the application would potentially be denied.

My response was these locations are near a church, Bear Butte has been considered a church by Native people for thousands of years. Our church is the mountain and mother earth. It is where we go to pray and to seek guidance from the Creator. Our church is not in a building on a street corner, it is the mountain. It is a church, just as much as yours.

Commissioner Mallow’s only response was, “I will not debate religion with you, Bear Butte or this location does not qualify within the County guidelines of a church.” End of discussion. Refusing to continue the conversation or provide a reasonable explanation for this ludicrous and insulting statement.

If the Commissioners are going to uphold these two distinct stipulations, they are required to clearly define with specific documented legal details, WHY Bear Butte does not qualify for “not a suitable location.” This question has yet to be answered in four years of questioning.

For clarification, I am formally requesting in writing as a local resident and voter, the Meade County Commissioners address the following points in detail with codes, ordinance info or applicable legal documentation to back up the stipulation. The because we say so, is no longer acceptable, legal documentation to back up your decision is hereby requested.

Clearly define:

“not a suitable location”

What basis a license would be denied based upon the criteria of “not a suitable location”

If within a distance of a church or school is in fact a basis of denial for location, clarify the distance of this requirement. Also clarify the definition of church within the ordinance or code.

Please respond in writing via email to tamra@protectsacredsites.org by close of business Tuesday, December 15, 2009.

Whereas traditional American Indian ceremonies have been intruded upon, interfered with, and in a few instances banned;…………… "Joint Resolution American Indian Religious Freedom", approved August 11, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996),

Whereas the United States has traditionally rejected the concept of a government denying individuals the right to practice their religion, and as a result, has benefited from a rich variety of religious heritages in this country; ;……… “Joint Resolution American Indian Religious Freedom”, approved August 11, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996),

There is no greater atrocity than the continual violation of our religious freedom and inherent right to partake in sacred ceremonies without being spiritually violated, or suffering from the destruction and blatant disregard of our sacred lands.

These Sacred lands are the bloodline and life way of our people and our traditions.

Whereas traditional American Indian ceremonies have been intruded upon, interfered with, and in a few instances banned;…………… "Joint Resolution American Indian Religious Freedom", approved August 11, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996),

As predicated, the Meade County Commissioners approved all the liquor licenses for the venues surrounding Bear Butte including, Broken Spoke Campground, Glencoe, Buffalo Chip, Full Throttle and Monkey Rock. Commissioner Doreen Creed voted against renewing both Glencoe and Broken Spoke Campground, the other four Commissioners voted to approve all.

Full Throttle originally was on the agenda, proposing to transfer their license to a new location they purchased, however late yesterday afternoon for unknown reasons, they pulled the transfer request. It is not known at this time if they will pursue this in the future or not. They were attempting to relocate a mile directly west of the Mountain, which would be next to Lower Brule Sioux Tribe’s property on the west side.

We had a very good turnout of supporters, and very heartfelt and emotional testimonies. There was a group of Native students from OLC in Rapid that attended. Would like to thank everyone again for taking the time to attend and oppose these licenses.

Whereas the freedom of religion for all people is an inherent right, fundamental to the democratic structure of the United States and is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution;……… "Joint Resolution American Indian Religious Freedom", approved August 11, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996),

The struggle to protect the serenity of Bear Butte from continual encroachment has ultimately developed into a religious freedom vs property rights issue.

There are two distinct stipulations that would disqualify a location or person from applying for an alcohol or liquor license in Meade County. These include, “not a suitable location” and/or “lack of character.”

In June 2008 at the Meade County Commissioners meeting, I questioned the Commission regarding the clarification on the “location” classification, and how they determined this qualification.

Commissioner Mallow responded that if the location was near a church or school, the application would potentially be denied.

My response was these locations are near a church, Bear Butte has been considered a church by Native people for thousands of years. Our church is the mountain and mother earth. It is where we go to pray and to seek guidance from the Creator. Our church is not in a building on a street corner, it is the mountain. It is a church, just as much as yours.

Commissioner Mallow’s only response was, “I will not debate religion with you, Bear Butte or this location does not qualify within the County guidelines of a church.” End of discussion. They refused to continue the conversation or provide a reasonable explanation for this ludicrous, insulting and racist statement.

Again at today’s hearing on December 2nd, 2009, I requested from the Commissioners an explanation for their qualifications in which they would deny licenses based upon “location,” in addition to defining their classification for a location being within the boundaries of a church or school. EVERY one of them stared at me blankly and DID NOT RESPOND. I repeated myself and asked if I was going to get a response. Commissioner Aker stated he would respond to my question at the end of all the testimonies. The others never replied at all. At the end of the testimonies, my question was still NOT ANSWERED. For two years now, I have repeatedly asked this question at every hearing, requesting the basis of the “location’ stipulation. Either there really is no definition, or they just don’t know it, or don’t care. It is one of two stipulations for denial of a license, however they have no explanation on definitions, doesn’t this seem strange?

I will be pursuing this further with the Commissioners and States Attorney, filing a complaint as a local resident and voter. If they are going to continue to have these two stipulations, they need to clarify them.

The other strange incident today was from Broken Spoke Campgrounds attorney. There is still a judgment against Jay Allen for $200k, from an unpaid contractor from 2006. When the Commissioners confronted the attorney about the judgment, he danced around answering questions, on Allen’s involvement with the business and if he still had a vested interest or not. The attorney couldn’t directly answer the question. Their own attorney doesn’t know Allen’s involvement? Everyone knows this entire charade since 2007 was simply a paper shuffle of LLC’s. However, their license was approved anyway.

When will it ever end? When will we finally begin to get support and justice in Indian Country? When will policies and laws finally be enforced, ensuring the protection of religious freedom for all the Indigenous people of this country?

Monday, November 30, 2009

There will be a hearing at Meade County Commissioners on Wednesday, December 2nd at 3:00 p.m. This hearing will be for the retail on-sale liquor/package liquor licenses renewals, which will include all the locations near Bear Butte. This includes the large venues we have been battling against including Glencoe, Broken Spoke Campground, Buffalo Chip, Monkey Rock and Full Throttle.

There are some major new developments with the Bear Butte issue. Full Throttle Saloon, which is currently located on hwy 34 & 79, is proposing to move locations further to the east. They have purchased a property just east of Bear Butte off 9 mile road. This location is directly east approximately one mile from the mountain.

This hearing will include Full Throttle’s request to transfer their liquor license to the new location. The reason they are attempting this is, the City of Sturgis has proposed an annexation of city limits, which will include up to hwy 79, the venues affected are Full Throttle, Glencoe and Monkey Rock. If the City is successful in this annexation, they will begin to regulate liquor sales and property taxes will sky rocket. It appears that this is an attempt to avoid the regulation, moving just outside the proposed annexation boundaries.

Each year things are progressively getting worse, with more attempts at expanding further east towards the sacred mountain, Bear Butte. The 2010 Sturgis Rally will potentially be the largest rally in years, since it is the 70th anniversary. The City has already expanded the Rally beginning in 2010 from 7 to 10 days.

It’s time to take a stand a show a mass presence at this upcoming hearing, to let the Meade County Commissioners know this needs to stop NOW!

If you are able to attend the hearing, please come and show your support and oppose these licenses and the transfer request from Full Throttle Saloon.

If you can not make it and would like to send the Commissioners a letter of opposition, please see the contact info listed below.

When:

December 2nd @ 3 pm

Where:

Meade County Commissioners Courthouse

1425 Sherman St

Sturgis, SD 57785

605-347-2360

605-347-5925 fax

Email: meade@meadecounty.org

For more information, please visit our website at www.protectbearbutte.com or contact me directly at tamra@protectsacredsites.org

STURGIS -- Meade County commissioners narrowly approved ownership transfer of beer and liquor licenses for a popular Sturgis motorcycle rally site Wednesday afternoon.

Approval of the liquor license gives Glencoe Entertainment LLC the authority to sell on Sundays. That license was transferred from Glencoe CampResort and Rock'N the Rally, a campground and amphitheater east of Sturgis.

Aker said he opposed the licenses because some of the land encompassed in the use area is classified as agricultural. He cited the conflicts of commercial use in a designated agriculture setting at an earlier meeting.

"I had some people support the position I gave last time," Aker added. "Nobody tried to change my mind."

Aker earlier this month also expressed concern that the alcohol licenses covered 492 acres. He said he reconsidered and decided that approved applicants should be able to determine their business operations and that an entire property should be considered licensed as a bar.

Cammack said that the business already exists, and it does the same thing every year. He said that made the process straightforward for him.

"We were considering a transfer of a license," Cammack said, explaining his vote. "The considerations are character and location."

County personnel conducted background checks and did not report anything that merited blocking the new applicants from taking over the operation, he said.

Michelle Lamphere manages Glencoe's bar operation and said the food stand, pavilion and nearby patio will serve as on-site sale points. She said that an internal security and management plan will be implemented, and customer identifications will be checked.

Glencoe Camp Resort and Rock’N the Rally applied for transfer of a retail on-sale liquor license with Sunday sales to Glencoe Entertainment LLC. That was tabled until June 17, along with an on-off malt beverage application.

Several speakers opposed the Glencoe request. Meade County resident Tamra Brennan said the facility’s proximity to Bear Butte is a definite issue. She added that noise, pyrotechnics and traffic at Glencoe caused absolute chaos at the butte last year.

“It has been considered sacred and a church for thousands of years,” Brennan said of the butte. Most of the other opposition centered on Glencoe’s proximity to the mountain.

Andrew Iron Shell said he’s certain intoxicated people aren’t running outside other people’s churches and littering the ground. “I’m sure if it was like that, you’d be offended,” he added. “You wouldn’t want your children to see those things.” He favors a five-mile buffer zone.

Commissioners Alan Aker and Doreen Allison-Creed voiced concern about the 492 acres the license would cover. They said they don’t appreciate that some of the property is ag-classified.

Aker explained the county incurs many expenses from alcohol consequences. “The only way we have of paying those expenses is our property tax payments,” he said. Aker added it’s reasonable to expect licenses to occur on commercial land.

Allison-Creed added places like Full Throttle Saloon and portions of Buffalo Chip Campground are on non-ag property. She considers that unfair and said some malt beverage license holders have nearly all their property classified as ag.

Co-chairman Dayle Hammock said the commission does not have the option to consider ag land versus non-ag land. Aker contended location on ag land is part of a liquor license applicant’s location criteria.

Allison-Creed said the county needs to change its law and adopt ordinances concerning liquor and malt beverage sales just like municipalities do. “We need some change at the state level.”

Commissioners also voted to approve the rest of the malt beverage license applications.

Allison-Creed voted for all applications for what she said will be the last time. She added she will oppose them in the future if the property is not commercial.

Her vote was based partly on this time being very close to the rally. Allison-Creed said the sizes of some applicants’ properties need to be condensed.

Bear Butte is a sacred site located in the Black Hills, eight miles east of Sturgis South Dakota.

The mountain is sacred to many of the Plains Tribes, including Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Northern and Southern Cheyenne, Northern and Southern Arapaho. For thousands of years, Tribes have traveled up to hundreds of miles to Bear Butte for their annual ceremonies. Many people today still make their annual journeys to the mountain, from May through August.

Unfortunately, the ongoing struggle to Protect Bear Butte, against the continual encroachment and desecration caused by Sturgis Bike Rally venues, continues today. We have been battling these venues near Bear Butte since 2006. These large biker bars and concert venues continue to expand with further development, hosting huge concerts, bringing tens of thousands of people, vehicles and motorcycles towards Bear Butte.

During the August 2008 Sturgis Rally, Glencoe Campground’s, Rock’n the Rally venue located on Hwy 79 one mile south of Bear Butte, hosted the group KISS bringing absolute chaos to the area. Seven miles and three hours of gridlocked traffic, all headed towards Bear Butte. The same day, Buffalo Chip located off of Hwy 34 & 79, hosted Senator McCain and Kid Rock, multiplying to the chaos. Long time local residents stated they had never seen anything like this before, the worse traffic and chaos they had ever seen out this way.

The following day after the huge concert, a tornado warning swept thru Sturgis causing severe hail and thunderstorms. It was one of the worst thunderstorms in many years, right in the middle of the Sturgis Rally. Two people were actually struck by lightning at Glencoe Campground during this storm. The very campground, that caused all the chaos the previous day, next to Bear Butte. Coincidence, or a clear message from the Creator, you be the judge.

In December 2008, the virtual 600 acre bar, Glencoe Campground and Rock’n the Rally were sold to non residents Sean Clark and Devorah Lopez from California and Arizona, for a reported $8.4 million dollars. There are serious character issues with these individuals, which will be disclosed during the upcoming June 2nd hearing at Meade County Commissioners.

Another attack against the mountain during the 2008 Sturgis Rally, were helicopter flights from four separate Rally venues adjacent to Bear Butte, including Broken Spoke Campground, Buffalo Chip, Ride N Rest Campground and Lamphere Ranch.

In June 2008, Target Logistics, the new owners of Broken Spoke Campground, in their tenacity were quoted in the Rapid City Journal regarding the helicopter rides, stating "If someone asks to fly over Bear Butte, we'd take them unless it's not allowed." After several months of battling against it, publicly opposing the issue with our media campaign, working with FAA, and during the Rally physically being on the ground talking with these pilots, we were able to put a stop to flights over the mountain. After a huge fight regarding this issue, Broken Spoke finally stated they would not be flying over the mountain, and their helicopter pilot never showed up during the Rally. Three of the venues continued to offer flights, the pilots agreed to stay away from flying over the mountain.

The desecration from these venues worsens each year, with what they bring to the sacred mountain, Bear Butte. The disrespect is evidenced with loud music heard for miles, huge concerts, strobe lights, helicopters, motorcycle traffic, pyrotechnic firework shows, lude behavior, drunkenness and a half a million people, within less than a few miles of one of this nation’s most sacred places, Bear Butte.

People often ask, how can they get away with this and why isn’t the local governments doing anything about it? The simple answer is called greed, it is yet another sign of the times, a modern day disease that has consumed people. It continues to feed upon today’s money hungry corporate America, and a local county that refuses to take a stand to protect a sacred site and historical landmark. The bottom line is the tourism, promoting the Rally and adult entertainment in these venues, supersedes any Native American religious beliefs, our spirituality, the sacredness and tranquility of the mountain.

Laws were created and are in place to protect our religious rights, Including, The American Indian Freedom of Religion Act of 1978, Executive Order 13007Protection and Accommodation of access to Indian Sacred Sites, and Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act of 1993, these laws are continually violated by the decisions made by the Meade County Commissioners and these venues.

In last years Meade County Commissioners hearing, I proposed a question asking for clarification on the Commissioners definitions of a “church.” Commissioner Robert Mallow responded to my questioning, stating that Bear Butte is NOT considered a “church” under their definition, that he was not going to debate religion with me.

Thousands of years of Tribal Nations coming here to pray, to fast, for healing and for guidance apparently doesn’t met their standards for classifying the mountain as a church. These statements were not only insulting, but demoralizing to an entire people’s spirituality and belief system.

As a local resident, I wonder what desecration the mountain will be subjected to this year, praying there will be a way to stop it. We have to continue to speak out and oppose what is occurring at all of our sacred places, if we sit back and accept the destruction, our way of life will fade away in a memory long so forgotten.

There have been many ups and downs in this issue, with many losses, but also a few victories. Each year there has been progress in these efforts, creating awareness for the issue, gaining support from across the country especially within the biker communities. The word is reaching out to the bikers about our plight to Protect Bear Butte, thru our ongoing efforts with the Bikers for Bear Butte campaign, which has been very successful thus far. Last year, we found that the bikers themselves were discussing the issue and helping us spread the word in a positive way, about the protection efforts. Education is a critical tool in order to help make a difference.

Many people, Native and non Native attend the Rally to participate in the events, we respectfully ask everyone to please remember the plight, to Protect Bear Butte and not endorse, patronize and participate in these venues surrounding Bear Butte. No matter how much you may want to see your favorite bands playing at these Rally venues, please remember these concerts surrounding Bear Butte are violating the sacred mountain! Help us take a stand against these Rally venues that continue to disrespect Bear Butte and its spiritual and historical significance.

We would like to ask each and every one of you, to assist us with the Protect Bear Butte struggle by helping spread the word!Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation is a grass roots organization, working towards the protection of sacred sites across the country. Our organization has been actively involved with the ongoing struggle to Protect Bear Butte for many years. Our organization is currently leading the campaign regarding opposing the new developments and further expansions at Bear Butte.

On June 2nd at 3:00 pm the Meade County Commissioners will be meeting regarding the issuance of new liquor licenses, renewals and transfers for Sturgis Rally Venues. Please attend to oppose in person, if you are able!

New License - The new owners of Glencoe Campground and Rock’N the Rally have applied for a new malt beverage license and a transfer of the existing retail on-sale Liquor license.

Transfer - A transfer of Retail on-sale Liquor from Sawtooth Campground to Monkey Rock USA, for the Thunderdome Venue.

Renewals - Other large venues surrounding Bear Butte, also up for renewal are Broken Spoke Campground, Buffalo Chip and Full Throttle.

Please send an opposition letter to the Meade County Commissioners asking them to deny the new licenses, transfers and renewals for all venues surrounding Bear Butte.

Please keep in mind that the only basis the Commissioners will consider for denying a license include, “location” and “character.” When sending your letters, please use one or both of these basis to support your opposition letter. Otherwise it may not be considered. Please be respectful in your letters! We do not want to reinforce their negative attitudes and behavior towards Native people and this issue. We always stay professional and respectful in our letter writing campaigns; remember this is fighting for the protection of a sacred site.

Suggested headings for your letters:

The application should be denied on the basis that the applicants are not suitable characters to hold a beer and/or liquor license as proposed.

The new Malt Beverage license application, transfers and renewals should be denied because the locations are not suitable.

Also, please remember to clearly state that you oppose the licenses, include the date, your full name and address. If you need a sample letter, please visit our website www.protectbearbutte.com and blog www.bearbutte.blogspot.com for sample letters from previous years.

Thank you for your continued support for the efforts to Protect Bear Butte!

Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation is a grass roots organization, working towards the protection of sacred sites across the country. Our organization has been actively involved with the ongoing struggle to Protect Bear Butte for many years. Our organization is currently leading the campaign regarding opposing the new developments and further expansions at Bear Butte.Visit our main website at www.protectsacredsites.org and our dedicated website for the Bear Butte struggle at www.protectbearbutte.com

This matter now reverts back to the city, according to commission chairman Robert Mallow. “The city determines if they want to make those changes we submit.”

Property belonging to the Bureau of Land Management, Meade School District, and Fort Meade; agricultural land; and various commercial properties, including Glencoe CampResort and Full Throttle Saloon, are included in the city’s proposal.

When the city turns in its amended plan, Mallow said, the county will act on it. “What they put into it will determine whether we vote yes or no.”

Meade County Deputy State’s Attorney Ken Chleborad said the city cannot approve the resolution, in whole or in part, until the county does.

Linda Burnham and her husband, Tom, who own Valley Implement, oppose annexation. She said the farm equipment dealership has generated millions of dollars to local banks in the past 30 years.

“The city is proposing to our neighbors in the city that everyone’s taxes will go down,” Burnham added. She said the city bases that on sales tax revenue coming from that area.

South Dakota law changed two years ago, according to Burnham. She said the law now states there is no sales tax on any farm services or parts, including trucking and labor.

“There is a state sales tax of 4 percent on farm equipment,” Burnham said. “But that tax does not apply to the city.” Because of this, she added, the city will gain virtually nothing from Valley Implement.

Should annexation succeed, Burnham continued, the business will incur higher taxes which it may need to pass to its customers.

“In turn, it’s just going to be another burden on our farming community,” Burnham said. “Agricultural is still our no. 1 industry in this area, I believe -- not the rally.”

Several pieces of property in that area were presented to the board Monday, along with classifications and platting status. Chleborad presented the state’s attorney opinion on whether the property was properly placed before the board.

“We don’t have any say on anything that’s been platted and commercial,” Mallow said of the county. “If it’s unplatted or agricultural, then we have to address it.”

Commissioners conducted a poll on each property piece among themselves. They based their nonbinding votes on available information and public comment.

“The poll is to advise the city,” Chleborad explained. “If they (the city) choose to do any revisions to their annexation plan, it gives them a feeling of what the commissioners may do in the future.”

Rally venues were among those appearing before the board. Mike Ballard owns Full Throttle Saloon, which is commercial and platted. It was, therefore, not subject to board consideration.

Ross Lamphere, who ranches and owns a campground, has unplatted land. Some is classified as ag, and some is commercial.

Commissioners took a poll on Lamphere’s land and voted no by a 5-0 margin. This means all five thought the land should not be included in further annexation efforts. A poll on Burnham Family LLC also yielded a 5-0 no vote.

Some of the Glencoe CampResort property is platted and commercial; other land is commercial and ag. Those first two pieces are not subject to board consideration. The pavilion area is platted and not classified as ag, so the board could consider it. Board members voted no by a 3-2 count.

Sturgis city manager David Boone said the city will use public feedback and commissioner comments to try improving the study.

“Ultimately, it’s going to be the council’s decision on how to proceed,” Boone explained. “We’ll lay out some alternatives for them and go from there.”

Sunday, April 26, 2009

STURGIS -- People who consider Bear Butte a sacred site met for three hours Saturday morning to share their views on issues they fear could damage the peaceful atmosphere there and the use of the park as a place of worship for Native Americans.

One of those is the Meade County fire ban, imposed each July during the Sturgis motorcycle rally. Bear Butte State Park Manager Jim Jandreau explained that no campfires are allowed because of potential wildfire danger.

Ceremonial rites are affected, according to Jandreau. He encouraged those concerned to visit with fire officials, Game, Fish & Parks personnel and others about the issue.

"The intent was a safety factor," Jandreau said of the yearly ban. "It has nothing to do with our spirituality or ceremonial ways."

Janet Clairmont said she will address the Meade County Commission on Wednesday, May 6. She will make a request for Bear Butte Lodge fire pit approval, according to the meeting agenda.

A proposed annexation of land east of Sturgis is also a concern.

Uma Black Crow Wilkinson, who said protection of Bear Butte's land and water are important to her, said not many people are aware of the proposal and called for more meetings about that and other issues surrounding the butte.

Area rancher Ross Lamphere addressed that annexation, saying if the effort succeeds, city limits will be about 1/4-mile north of Bear Butte Creek along S.D. Highway 79.

Lamphere estimates that boundary would be less than 3 miles from Bear Butte, and said the city, through state statute, will have jurisdiction for platting purposes.

At least four parcels around the butte are for sale. Meeting attendee Nancy Hilding said one of those, the Grubl property, occupies 120 acres and has been on sale for two or three years.

"Most of the legislators were receptive to purchase of land," Sen. Jim Bradford, R-Pine Ridge, said, referring to efforts to have the state buy some of the land to create a buffer zone. He said some state funds could be available because the state received some stimulus funding.

Bradford emphasized he attended the meeting to get the people's perspective. "The legislators are ready," he said. "They know they want to do something."

Native people need to be in a primary consultation role for butte use and management, Black Crow Wilkinson said. She said Natives are consulted but need to be in more of a leadership role.

"The sacredness of that site should probably be considered above and beyond any recreational use," Black Crow Wilkinson said.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The next meeting of the Bear Butte Forum is scheduled for Saturday, April, 25 from 8:30 a.m. to noon MST. The Forum will meet at the Sturgis Community Center located at 1401 Lazelle Street in Sturgis, South Dakota. Participants are responsible to make their own lodging and meal arrangements.

The Forum is an opportunity to get an update about Bear Butte and to share ideas for improvements. Each year the hope is that every tribe that has a spiritual connection to the mountain be represented at the Forum. This meeting is open to the public. Please invite others you think would like to attend.

Expansion of Sturgis city limits east to S.D. Highway 79 could create liquor store sales competition involving the city of Sturgis and the Full Throttle Saloon & Campground.

The city operates the only liquor store in town, and its revenues supplement municipal property and sales taxes. The privately-owned Full Throttle motorcycle operation has gained popularity as "the world's largest biker bar."

The Sturgis City Council will hold a 6:30 p.m. April 20 public hearing at city hall about its annexation plan. The area encompasses the Full Throttle, the Glencoe CampResort rally concert campground, various other commercial operations, agriculture land and properties belonging to the Bureau of Land Management, Meade School District and Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The Meade County Commission will hold its hearing on the proposed annexation at 8:30 a.m. April 27, in the courthouse’s community room.

The commission also has scheduled a 3:30 p.m. May 5 hearing on Full Throttle's off-sale liquor license application. County deputy state's attorney Ken Chleborad said the location and potential conflict with the Sturgis ordinance are among issues the board will consider.

STURGIS, S.D. – Just outside Sturgis is the Sacred Mato Paha or Bear Butte Mountain. Bear Butte, a 4,426-foot mountain, rests on the northernmost part of the Black Hills. It has been a sacred site to the Northern Plains Indians for thousands of years.

Today, Bear Butte Mountain attracts visitors from all over the world. Bear Butte is still a place for traditional American Indian ceremonies. When hiking up the mountain on designated trails, it’s common to see trees bestowed with sacred tobacco offerings wrapped in colorful cloth as representations of prayers to the Creator.

According to a Lakota story, long ago a giant bear and a water monster similar to a dinosaur, battled for many days and nights. Because of the fierce battle, valleys filled with blood. The giant bear was wounded by the sea monster’s jagged teeth and the bear crawled away to die. The ground erupted, darkness covered the earth, and fire, ashes, water and mud went into the sky.

“You cannot take away the spirituality of this mountain, which is its true draw. That is its true magnificence. For everybody that comes here, I believe it is different. No two people that come here have the same experience.”

-- Jim Jandreau, Bear Butte Park manager

The story continues with the bear’s body disappearing, and in place of the bear was a hill in the shape of the bear’s sleeping body which continued to rumble and smolder.

To the native Lakota, Bear Butte has long been a place to hold council meetings and ceremonies such as vision quests and Sun dances. In the mid-1800s the father of Crazy Horse, a great holy man, climbed Bear Butte to seek spiritual guidance on a vision quest.

It has been said that Wakantanka appeared before the holy man in the form of a bear and gave him power to overcome obstacles and defeat his enemies. Crazy Horse’s father asked that the same gifts also be given to his son. After this bestowment, the mountain was known as Bear Butte or Mata Paha.

The history of Bear Butte is rich, as well as literal, artifacts dating back 10,000 years have been discovered near it. Tipi rings have been found along Bear Butte’s perimeter, as well as rocks the Sioux once placed along the mountain’s summit to establish claims to the land, to mark distance or to offer prayers.

Many note a profound spiritual connection when visiting the site.

Jim Jandreau, who was born and raised on the Lower Brule Sioux in South Dakota is the first American Indian park manager at Bear Butte State park. Jandreau admits that although the sites of Bear Butte are majestic, the profound connection to spiritual matters are much more prevalent.

“You cannot take away the spirituality of this mountain, which is its true draw. That is its true magnificence. For everybody that comes here, I believe it is different. No two people that come here have the same experience.”

Jandreau said Bear Butte is open to anyone who wishes to visit.

“The medicine men that practice here and bring their people here to worship will all tell you that this mountain is not exclusive to only Indian people praying. Anybody who comes in the right mind and the right heart with prayer on their lips, with humbleness is welcome. When you go to that area with that humbleness then we are all truly equal.”

Bear Butte has long been the subject of preserving sacred sites by American Indian artists. Award-winning American Indian musician Michael Bucher, Cherokee, whose song off his “Seven” album entitled “Dirty Water” fights for the preservation of the site.

“I went to Bear Butte Mountain and climbed along the trails to look at the view and to feel the sanctity of the place. You can see buffalo at the base of Bear Butte and see prayer flags all over the trees. They are tobacco cloth offerings. Some of the multi-colored ribbons are old and faded and some of the flags are on trees that have been uprooted by the weather. It all adds to the holiness of the place that so many prayers for hundreds of years have been prayed there,” Bucher said.

Both Bucher and Jandreau said that though visitors may go for the simple beauty of Bear Butte or to hike the trails that were once traversed by Indian people so many years ago, visitors leave with much more than they may have anticipated.

“Everyone that comes off this mountain, it doesn’t matter if they are Indian or non-Indian or what tribe they are from, when they come away from this mountain, and go to see that medicine man interpreter about their vision, none of them will ever be the same,” Jandreau said. “People who come here are changed spiritually and morally. They may not know it when they drive out of the gate, but that stays with them.”